Single wheel count mechanism



May 5, 1964 1 E. MCKEAN ETAL.

SINGLE WHEEL COUNT MEcHANxsM Filed March 2, 1962 IN VEN TORS United Stat-@S Patent g l 3,131,860 SINGLE WHEEL COUNT IVECHANISM Lowell E. McKean, 124 E. Main St., and William I Grogoza, Tayiortown Road, RB. 1, both of l, Shelby, @hic Filed Mar. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 177,091 Y.

6 Claims. (Cl. 23S-e118) 'Ilhisinvention relates to novel single Wheel count mechan-isms. Y

` The primary object `or the invention is the provision of simpler, more compact, more reliable, and more accurate mechanisms of the kind indicated, adapted -ior manual or mechanical actuation, and adapted tor-operate and 'maintain lin operation other mechanisms, such las` electrical switches, at selected counts, the mechanisms involving a single 'actuator Iwheel ratchet-connected to a single drive or index wheel and to a single spring return wheel, the

actuator fwheel, and the return rwheel being rotatable on t in unusually small sizes, such as to be housed ina oneinch pipe, the wheels being formed with interengaging tace type ratchet teeth, for `trouble-free operation and reduction of number otwearing surfaces.

` A further 4object of the invention `is the provision of count mechanisms of thencharacter indicated above, i

wherein theactuating means lfor the actuator wheel comprises !eitlier a rotary leventur-ning on the shfait carrying the wheels or an endwise lmovable element, both being spring-returned, the rotary lever being designed tor rotating the actuator wheel more than full `rotations and the endwise movable element for rotating' the actuator wheel less than full rotations.

i Other important objects vand advantageous Ifeatures of the invention Will be apparent from the 'following description and the accompanying dnawings, wherein, for purposes `ofillustration only, a specific form of the invention is set iorth in detail.

IIn the drawings:

A -FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mechanism of the present invention; l

`FIGURE `2 is an enlarged topplan view of said mechanism, its' cover beingremoved and parts being broken away and in section; t

yFIGURE v3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the -line 3 3 of FIGURE 2; t r

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective View of the operating components of the mechanism; y FIGURES is an end elevation, partly broken away andin section, of another form of mechanism of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is :a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line6-6 of FIGURE 5.

Referring in det-ail to the drawings, )wherein likeand related numerals designate like and related parts throughout the sevenal views, and i-rst to lFIGURES 1 through 4, the conntmechanism therein shown and generally des ignated 10,comprises 'an open-sidedcase composed of a' bottom wa-l1 12, a single upstanding sidewall 14, and leit- ICC portions, and depressed e-nd portions, which are severally engaged by portions 216, 28 and 30, respectively, of a removable cover32 having a pendant side wall 34 which engages the tree ventica-l edges of the end Walls Iand closes the open side of thecase. `The intermediate poi-tion 2S of the cover 32 is providedwith a centnal window open ing 38.

A `longitudinal shaft 441 is journaled through openings @2in thecase end walls 16 :and 18, near the case side wall '14, and a rotary lever assembly 44 is fixed on the shait 40, outside of the left-hand end wall l16. The lever assembly` '44 comprises a sleeve 416 circumposed on and keyed to the shaft 44, las by means of a pin 48` extending through the sleeve and the shaft. The sleeve '46 has a tangential liat arm 50 iixed thereon,-|and adapted, when depressed irom an -upriglit position to` a horizontal position, to make stop engagement with a stop pin 521 which extends outwardly rfrom the case end wall 16 and is spaced forwardly from the shaft 46u The lever assembly sleeve 46 has |a notch 54, in its `inw-ard end, .providing clearance for an arm 56 engaging the lever arm 50, of a coil spring 58l circumposed on the shaft 40, and having another arm 60, tensioned away from the arm56 and having a lateral terminal 62, which is securably engaged in a hole `64, provided in the case end wail 16, above tih'e `shaft 40, whereby the lever assembly 44 and the shait 40 are biased, in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES l1 and 2.

Circumposed on the shaft `40, Within the case, and successively from left to right, is a drive Wheel 66, an actu- .ator Wheel 66, and a springreturn wheel/70, the, wheels being preferably sol-id cylindrical blocks of frictionreducing, wear-resistant material, and of substantial width or length. The drive wheel `66 is `keyed on the shaft 40, es by means of a pin 712 which extend-s through the wheel 66 into the shaft 4i?. A coil spring 74 is circumposed on the shadt 40 and is compressed between the case end wall 18 and the return wheel 7d and serves to maintain the wheels in yielding engagement with each other. A thrust Washer 76 is on the shaft 'dill between the drive Wheel 66 and the case end wall 16, and a thrust washer 7 8 is interposed between the spring 74 and the return wheel 70.

The thrust washers Scand 82 can be interposed between thefdrivefwheel 66 and the actuator wheel 68, and between the actuator wheel y68i and the return wheel 70, respectively, for cushioning the interengagement ci their ratchet teeth.

The iace type ratchet teeth 84, `on the adjacent ends of Wheel and opening to the outer or righthand end of the wheel 70, whereby the wheel 7 (i is permitted endwise movements relative to the pin 9d.

which are visible through the window-opening 3i; of the case cover. y

The index or actuator wheel 68 has a radial boss 98 projecting 4from its'suriace, at a selected location relative to the count numerals 96, which is operatively engage- Y The :actuator wheel has circumferentially spaced numerals 96 on-its surface,

v wheel 68.

In operation, the lever arm 50 is pulled or pushed, in a direction away from its stop pin 52, or counterclockwise in FIGURES 1 and 2, with which it is normally engaged, a desired amount. This rotates the shaft 49 and the drive wheel 66 a corresponding amount and the ratchet teeth 84 of the drive wheel 66 ratchet over the teeth of the index wheel 63; When the lever arm 50 is then released,

the spring 58 rotates the shaft 40 andthe drive wheel 66,V in opposite or clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES l and -2yand produces engagement of the teeth of the drive wheel and the index wheel, soV that the yindex wheel 68 is rotated in a clockwise direction to a position indicated by a corresponding numeral appearing in the window opening 3S in the case cover 32. The above described construction of the mechanism 1f) enables the index wheel 68 to be rotated a full revolution by rotating the lever arm 40a corresponding amount, away from the stoppin 52 and releasingthe lever arm. As clockwise rotation of the index wheel 63 takes place, the'ratchet teeth of the index wheel, facing the return v/heel 7?, ratchet over the teeth of the return wheel, and interengage therewith, as the rotation of the index wheel stops, so that any reverse rotation ofthe index wheel is positively and exactly precluded.

The form of count mechanism, shown in `'FIGURES 5 and 6, and generally designated 16a is adapted for operation to advance its index wheel 68 only one count at a time. The mechanism 10a is similar to the mechanism of FIGURES l through 4,excep't for a different actuating assembly 44a. A

' Thek actuating assembly 44a comprises a fiat vertical rod 104 sliding through a guide opening 106, provided in the cover portion a and having a reduced Width stem 108, on itslower end, which defines a stop shoulder 110. An expanding coil return spring y112 surrounds the stem 108 and is compressed between the shoulder 110and a springpositioningrecess 114, provided in the case between wall 12a, whereby the rod 164 is urgedupwardly. VAn opening 116 is provided through the rod 164, above the spring 112, which has beveled knife edges 118, through which extends freely a pin 1210, fixed to and extending radially from the drive wheel 66a.

Depressing the rod 164, against the resistance of the spring 116, produces clockwise rotation ofi the drive wheel 66a, and upon release of the rod, the spring 1,16 drives the rod 104 upwardly and thereby produces counterclockwise ratchetting of the drive wheel 66a to its starting position, and hence clockwise rotation of the index Wheel 68a, to the end explained hereinabove in connection with the description of the mechanism of FIGURES 1 through 4. v Y

- Although therehave been-shown and described preferred forms of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes inthe structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof lare contem-` plated as beingwithin the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

, What is claimed is: f

l. In a count mechanism, a support, a shaft journaled on the support, an index wheel slidably and rotatably engaged on Vthe shaft, said index wheel having reversed Y ratchet teeth on its ends, a drive wheel fixed on the shaft at one side of the index wheel and having ratchet teeth facing and interengageable with the ratchet teeth on one engageable with the ratchet teeth on the adjacent end of the index Wheel, wheel-engaging spring means compressed between the support and the return wheel and yieldably urging the return wheel toward the index wheel and the index wheel toward the drive wheel, and means for rotating the drive wheel in one direction, said support comprising a case having a bottom wall, first and second end walls, and a side wall, said rotating'means being positioned on the shaft outside of said first end wall, and the wheels being positioned between the end'walls with the shaft journaled through the end walls.

2. In a count mechanism, a support, a shaft journaled on the support, an index wheel slidably and rotatably engaged on the shaft, said index wheel having reversed ratchet teeth on its ends, a drive wheel fixed on the shaft at one side of the index wheel and having ratchet teeth facing and interengageable with the ratchet teeth on one end of the index wheel, a return wheel slidably engaged on the shaft at the other side of the index wheel, stop means precluding rotation of the return wheel on the shaft, said return wheel having ratchet teeth facing and interengageable with the ratchet teeth on the adjacent end of the index wheel, wheel-engaging spring means compressedV between the support and the return wheel and yieldably urging the return wheel toward the index wheel and theV prisingl a case having a bottom wall, first and second end end of the index wheel, a return wheel slidably'engaged on Vthe shaft Vat the other side of the index wheel, stop means precluding rotation of the return wheel on the shaft, said return wheel having ratchet teeth facing and interwalls, and a side wall, said rotating means being positioned on the shaft outside of said first end wall, and the wheels being positioned between the end walls with the shaft journaled through the end walls, said wheel-engaging spring means comprising a coil spring circumposed on the shaft and compressed between the second end wall and the return wheel.

3. In a count mechanism, a support, a shaft journaled on thegsupport, an index wheel slidably and rotatably engaged on the shaft, Y said index wheel having reversed ratchet teeth on its ends, a drive wheel fixed on the shaft at one side of the index wheel and having ratchet teeth facing and interengageable with the ratchet teeth on one end of the index wheel, a return wheel slidably engaged on the shaft at the other side of the index wheel, stop` means precluding rotation of the return wheel on the shaft, said return Wheel having ratchet teeth facing and interengageable with the ratchet teeth on the adjacent end of the index wheel, WheeLengaging spring means compressed between the support and the return wheel and yieldably urging the return wheel toward the index Vwheel and the index wheel toward the drive wheel, and means for rotating the drive wheel in one direction, said support comprising a case having a bottom wall, first and second end walls, and a side wall, said rotating means being posi.

tioned on the shaft outside of said first end wall, and the vwheels being positioned Vbetween the end walls with the Y shaft journaled through the yendwalls, said return spring means being engaged with the lever arm and with said first end wall, said stop means comprising a pin extending from the case side wall, and a longitudinal groove in the periphery of the return wheel and opening to an end of the return wheel, said pin being engaged in the groove.

4. A count mechanism comprising a case having rst and second end walls, and side walls, a first journaled slidably through said end wallsan actuating lever fixed on the shaft adjacent to and spaced from said first end wall, a coil spring circumposed on the shaft and cornpressed between said first end wall and'the lever and operatively connected to the first end wall and theV shaft, astop pin on said first endY wall-for limiting manual rotation of the lever andthe shaft, a drive Wheel fixed on the shaft within the case and normally spaced from saidv first end wall, the side of the drive wheel remote from said first end wall having ratchet teeth thereon, an index wheel slidably and rotatably engaged on the shaft and having 4other ratchet teeth on its other side, a return wheel slidably and rotatably engaged on the shaft between the second end wall of the case and the index wheel, said Vreturn wheel having ratchet teeth adapted to engage the said Vother ratchet teeth of the indexwheel, another coil spring circumposed on the shaft andvcompressed between the 5. A count mechanism according to claim 4, wherein another compressible thrust washer is circumposed on the second end wall and the return wheel, stop means acting i between a side wall of the case and the return wheel precluding rotation ofthe returnwheel relative to the shaft while permitting sliding of the return wheel on the shaft, and compressible thrust washers oircumposed on the shaft betweenthe first end wall of the case and the drive wheel, between `the drive wheel and the index wheel, between the index wheel and thereturn wheel.

shaft between the return wheel and said other spring.

6. A count mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said index wheel has a lateral switch operating member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 835,218 Edsall Nov. 6, 1906 1,001,409 Jennings Aug. 22, 1911 1,657,828 Henderson Jan. 31, 1928 2,588,935 Oran Mar. 11, 1952 2,673,686 Hoifmann Mar. 30, 1954 2,920,819 Greenhow Jan. 12, 1960 2,998,188 Mast et al Aug. 29, 1961 

1. IN A COUNT MECHANISM, A SUPPORT, A SHAFT JOURNALED ON THE SUPPORT, AN INDEX WHEEL SLIDABLY AND ROTATABLY ENGAGED ON THE SHAFT, SAID INDEX WHEEL HAVING REVERSED RATCHET TEETH ON ITS ENDS, A DRIVE WHEEL FIXED ON THE SHAFT AT ONE SIDE OF THE INDEX WHEEL AND HAVING RATCHET TEETH FACING AND INTERENGAGEABLE WITH THE RATCHET TEETH ON ONE END OF THE INDEX WHEEL, A RETURN WHEEL SLIDABLY ENGAGED ON THE SHAFT AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INDEX WHEEL, STOP MEANS PRECLUDING ROTATION OF THE RETURN WHEEL ON THE SHAFT, SAID RETURN WHEEL HAVING RATCHET TEETH FACING AND INTERENGAGEABLE WITH THE RATCHET TEETH ON THE ADJACENT END OF THE INDEX WHEEL, WHEEL-ENGAGING SPRING MEANS COMPRESSED BETWEEN THE SUPPORT AND THE RETURN WHEEL AND YIELDABLY URGING THE RETURN WHEEL TOWARD THE INDEX WHEEL AND THE INDEX WHEEL TOWARD THE DRIVE WHEEL, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING THE DRIVE WHEEL IN ONE DIRECTION, SAID SUPPORT COM- 